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The County is working to reduce waste and build a stronger, more sustainable region. Through From Waste to Worth: A Circular Economy for Regional Prosperity, we are exploring ways to keep materials in use, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for communities across the region. This project will look for ways to support local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leadership through the lens of:
Sharing
Reusing
Repairing
Remanufacturing
Upcycling existing materials and products
A circular economy is a system whereeverything is reused and nothing is thrown away. Products and materials stay in use through practices like maintenance, reuse, recycling, and composting.
We want your ideas to help:
Support reuse
Create local jobs
Spur innovation
Build a stronger, more resilient community
Your insights will help us understand what works, what challenges exist, and where new opportunities lie. This will guide fair and practical recommendations for the region and the County.
How to participate:
Take our survey (coming soon)
Learn about upcoming meetings
Explore related efforts
Ask questions
Share stories and ideas
The County is working to reduce waste and build a stronger, more sustainable region. Through From Waste to Worth: A Circular Economy for Regional Prosperity, we are exploring ways to keep materials in use, support local businesses, and create new opportunities for communities across the region. This project will look for ways to support local businesses, entrepreneurs, and community leadership through the lens of:
Sharing
Reusing
Repairing
Remanufacturing
Upcycling existing materials and products
A circular economy is a system whereeverything is reused and nothing is thrown away. Products and materials stay in use through practices like maintenance, reuse, recycling, and composting.
We want your ideas to help:
Support reuse
Create local jobs
Spur innovation
Build a stronger, more resilient community
Your insights will help us understand what works, what challenges exist, and where new opportunities lie. This will guide fair and practical recommendations for the region and the County.
The County of San Diego is creating a regional roadmap to support a just and equitable shift to a circular economy. A circular economy means keeping materials and products in use for as long as possible through activities like reuse, repair, recycling, and remanufacturing. Visit the Ellen Macarthur Foundation to learn more about circular economy.
We invite you to share your ideas to strengthen San Diego’s regional economy, reduce waste, and keep valuable materials in use. Your input will help identify opportunities to:
Expand infrastructure for reuse
Lower disposal costs
Create local jobs
Build a more resilient community
The survey has up to 17 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Language and Accessibility Services
To take this survey in another language, use the gray Google Translate button at the top right of the page.
If you need disability accommodations or would like to provide your feedback in an alternate format, please contact luke.lombardi@burohappold.com and provide your name and preferred contact method and we will connect with you. Alternatively, you may call 310-945-4859.
Your input is appreciated! The survey will be open until July 31, 2026.
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Develop Material Flow Analysis: July 2025 - July 2026
From Waste to Worth has finished this stage
We’ll map how materials move through the San Diego region—from raw materials to finished products and finally to disposal or reuse. This will show where resources are wasted and where we can make improvements to keep materials in use longer.
Interviews with local subject matter experts: September – December 2025
From Waste to Worth has finished this stage
We’ll meet with local experts to gather insights on material flows, industry practices, and opportunities for circular solutions. These conversations will help shape the foundation of the circular economy assessment.
Community Engagement: January - June 2026
From Waste to Worth has finished this stage
The first phase of engagement is focused on listening—through interviews, workshops, and surveys—to understand priorities, challenges, and ideas from businesses, community groups, and residents. This input will inform initial findings.
Develop Waste to Worth Roadmap: January - October 2026
From Waste to Worth is currently at this stage
We’ll create a plan for putting these ideas into action. The roadmap will include short-, medium-, and long-term goals, timelines, and ways to measure progress.
Community Engagement: July - September 2026
this is an upcoming stage for From Waste to Worth
In this phase, we’ll share draft recommendations for community input and feedback to ensure the final recommendations reflect community priorities and builds support for future implementation.
Opportunity Scan: 2026
this is an upcoming stage for From Waste to Worth
We’ll look for the best ideas to make our economy more circular. This includes ranking programs, policies, and strategies that work in other places and could work here.
Waste to Worth Roadmap opens for public review: Fall 2026
this is an upcoming stage for From Waste to Worth
The draft roadmap will be available for public comment. Residents and businesses can review proposed actions and provide feedback to help shape the final plan.
Publish final Waste to Worth Assessment and Roadmap: Late 2026 / Early 2027
this is an upcoming stage for From Waste to Worth
The County will release the final Waste to Worth Assessment and Roadmap, incorporating feedback. This comprehensive plan will guide the region’s transition to a circular economy with actionable strategies, partnerships, and measurable goals.
